BASEBALL: Dodgers trade big for former Rialto star Nolasco, family

His father, Emilio, is a passionate Dodger fan, so the family often came to games. When not at the ballpark, Nolasco grew up listening to the team’s broadcasting legends — Jaime Jarrin on the Spanish-language broadcasts when his parents were also listening, Vin Scully when they weren’t.

So the Dodgers’ acquisition of the 2001 Rialto High graduate was big for Nolasco — "Absolutely a dream come true,"­ he said — but it was at least as significant for his family.

"Everybody’s so happy — family, friends, everybody I grew up with," said Nolasco, who came from Miami in a July 6 trade. "I’m just happy to bring that happiness to them, and to where we’re from."

About 40 family members and friends drove to Phoenix to see him win his first Dodger start on Tuesday. But that was just a warm up for the "few hundreds" he expects Sunday, when he makes his first home start as a Dodger: "It’s going to be a lot of fun for them."

Surprisingly, in a major-league career spanning eight years, the 30-year-old Nolasco has pitched at Dodger Stadium just twice. The first time, in 2008, he allowed two earned runs and five hits in six innings, but did not figure in the decision.

"The whole family was here," he remembered. "They were crying and stuff just because it was a dream for them for me to play on this field. I threw well that game. … And then the next time I pitched, it didn’t go so well."

He laughed ruefully, recalling a 2011 loss in which he gave up eight runs in five innings.

"They crushed me pretty good. But that’s part of the game."

Based on the initial return, the Dodgers are as happy to have Nolasco as he is to be on the team.

"You never know how it’s going to go," said manager Don Mattingly, "but it’s a nice first impression, right? And kind of a shot in the arm for a team when a guy comes in and pitches like that."

Catcher A.J. Ellis raved about what he saw in Nolasco’s debut.

"He has an amazing feel for his off-speed (pitches)," Ellis said. "It’s something you see on film, but you don’t really realize how good it is until you catch him. … He doesn’t have to just rely on throwing fastballs when he’s behind in the count. He can keep guys off balance by throwing any pitch at any time."

Mattingly understands the dream-come-true aspect for Nolasco. Growing up in Evansville, Ind., he followed the Cardinals and Reds, hoped one would draft him, and was initially disappointed to be selected by the Yankees.

But Mattingly also knows playing close to home can be a problem "if you let it.

"As I got older," he said, "… I was like, ‘I don’t know if I want to play in St. Louis, so close.’ You think of all the family you’re dealing with. People come out of the woodwork, guys who played against you in Little League and all that stuff. You just want to do your job, right?"

Nolasco, though, has embraced coming home, to the point of taking to his previously little-used Twitter feed, @RNolasco47, to communicate with fans.

"The fans on Twitter, and the whole community, friends, just the whole Dodger fan base … has been amazing, welcoming me and saying ‘Great job’ and stuff like that," he said. "So I feel like the least I can do is get back to them as much as I can."

While his first Dodger start was emotional, Nolasco felt he was able to channel that "where that adrenaline was giving a little extra boost to some pitches … and some energy."

Said Ellis, "He was very focused. He was very determined. … From the time he started warming up to the time the game was over, he was pretty locked in."

Now the job is to build on that initial contribution — and perhaps earn a long-term spot in LA. A free agent after this season, Nolasco said one of his goals is "to try to be here as long as I can."

First, though, he’ll look to help the Dodgers address an ongoing need.

"The four-five (spots in the rotation) have been our problem at times," Mattingly said. "If he can consistently be one of those guys … it fills one of those holes and says, "OK, here’s another good start for you.’